URBANREC

Rice endosperm, an industrial by-product containing starch as the main component, has been used for the production of novel biocomposites, based on poly(butylene succinate) (PBS). The composites were prepared by melt-mixing, using original or enzymatically-treated rice endosperm. This enzymatic treatment enables the extraction of some high value molecules with antioxidant properties, such as polyphenols. It results that rice endosperm has a good compatibility with the matrix, does not modify the thermal properties of PBS, but notably improves its mechanical performances from a brittle towards a more ductile behaviour. Therefore, rice endosperm by-product, which actually is used for animal feeding, can potentially find a sustainable valorization into new biocomposites with reinforced properties.

» Author: Grazia Totaro, Laura Sisti, Micaela Vannini, Paola Marchese, Annalisa Tassoni, Marcello Salvatore Lenucci, Matteo Lamborghini, Susheel Kalia, Annamaria Celli

» Reference: Composites Part B: Engineering, Volume 139

» Publication Date: 15/04/2018

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